A bond package for the project could have caused a nearly 10 percent tax hike in the bond’s first year of debt service.

The board has since decided to delay renovations at the junior high school and explore constructing a new elementary school, which has been estimated to cost about $4 million more, or $22 million.

PDT is expected to present a deeper analysis of construction costs at a September meeting, with some possible site recommendations.

A school construction bond referendum could go to voters by fall 2014.

After the Town Council approved the amended school budget last week, the council voted 4-2 on an amendment to the fill the municipal budget gap with $287,000 in reductions across several departments.

The amendment will further fill the gap with $20,000 from the town’s revenue-sharing balance from the last fiscal year.

The amendment was passed after councilors voted 4-2 to restore $9,000 to a proposed $18,000 reduction in the fire department’s on-call firefighter budget, after Councilor John Perreault expressed concerns about losing the funds.

Council Chairwoman Suzan Wilson and Vice Chairwoman Margo Knight opposed both the amendment and the restoration of funds.

The original proposal would have completely eliminated the fire department’s stipend budget for on-call firefighters. The recommendation was made by Fire Chief Ken Brillant after the town requested budget reductions from every department.

Councilors said they expect to fund the $9,000 with profits from the sale of the Recreation Center at 30 Federal St. to the Brunswick Development Corp., which remains under negotiation.

If the Recreation Center sale proceeds come up short, Brown said he expects the town will cover the $9,000 with various kinds of revenue, including revenue from the excise tax.

Other expenses cut from the town budget include a new police cruiser, hiring of new police officers, public works general maintenance and paving of Columbia Avenue and Belmont Street.